26 Mar 2015

Over the last two seasons, captain-elect Jordan Henderson is arguably Liverpool's most improved player, and he's worked hard to overcome the doubters and establish himself as an integral part of Brendan Rodgers team. Many have doubted Henderson's ability to make it at the highest level, including Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, who now admits he was wrong about the £20m midfielder.

Earlier this week, Henry revealed that he once had 'major doubts' about Hendo's ability to make it at 'the highest level', but the legendary striker has now changed his mind. He told The Telegraph:

"There was a concern he [Henderson] wasn't quite good enough, but the transformation has been unbelievable. He [is] an animal in midfield. He wants to work, deliver, score goals [and] become the player he dreamed of."

It always amuses me how players receive praise for doing what's they're supposed to do. The bare minimum expected of a Liverpool player - or indeed any professional - is to work hard, do their (position-specific) job and in the case of attacking players, score/create goals.

What next: deifying players because they have the 'courage' (one of Rodgers' favourite descriptors) to step-up and take corners and throw-ins? Of course Henderson should 'want' to do his job; that's what he's paid obscenely well for.

As Henry notes, Henderson's 'transformation' is impressive, and he's certainly made his mark at Anfield over the last 18 months. However, he was seriously underwhelming in his first season at the club, so any improvement is going to look significant in comparison.

In my view, Henry overstates the importance of the 'transformation'. Hendo is achieving the level of performance expected of a first-choice midfielder at a top-class club; he is not - as Henry suggests - exceeding those expected levels.

Henderson's current level of performance is what Rodgers/fans should expect of him all the time; he doesn't deserve extra credit - or a massive pay-rise - for basically doing what he should be doing.

Jordan Henderson has transformed into a very important player.I doubted whether he would ever reach 20m level.However I didn't write him off as a worthless piece of trash.I could see some potential.That never stop me from sticking the boot in.Nobody should escape criticism for being below average.I must've likened some of his performances to a headless chicken.Which was true.Henderson worked hard in training.He's turned himself into a key player for club and country.And is on the verge of taking over from Steven Gerrard as Liverpool captain.Players who stink the joint out in their first season and seem destined for the garbage truck.Should look how Hendo turned it around.

Everyone is just doing what they are paid to do. If they have been doing their job to a satisfactory standard for a number of years it may be acceptable to give a slight nod of the head in their general direction,

In Hendo's first season he did the bare minimum - worked hard, did his job positionally and so forth but it was nowhere near enough. He's worked really hard and against all odds is now at the front of the queue to succeed Gerrard as captain. Is that not worthy of praise? I think it is. When you think of all the vitriol aimed at him in his first couple of seasons, surely that has to be countered with some praise when a player completes a remarkable turnaround.

Funny, as if reaching that level isn't an acheivement in itself compared to the numbers that try and fail.... Hendo has made huge strides forward, and thats the best you have for him... If he hadn't improved, I bet you would have been more descriptive in your criticism...

Reading down some of the comments, I laugh to myself knowing full well he would have been up for a lynching if he hadn't proved himself.... He could be on the Poulsen list, or we could have sold him and brought in another fraud... Atleast acknowledge that he's done well in turning his LFC career round....

Yeah, Sakho. Captained PSG a couple of times at 17(!!!). Took on regular captaincy there at 20.

Shows fire and determination in his play. (But still looks awkward as hell sometimes lol)

Skrtel is the other I'd go for.

Lucas, BR has a lot of trust in. Remember when he was first injured after BR arrived, BR had him doing scouting and creating briefs on future opponents. A manager has to respect and trust a player a lot for that. But I just don't think Lucas is reliable enough physically. And then it takes him a while to warm back up to match speed after injury (and unfortunately that speed is 3rd gear). Sad to say, if the summer goes well I'd expect Lucas to be 2nd/3rd choice...or even gone.

Put Hendo in a good team and he makes them an even better team, due to his drive and work rate of 2 players. However, put him in a poor team and they remain poor. Put Gerrard in good team and they remain a good team, but put him in a poor team and he will make them good! I suppose my point is that the calibre of player BR brings in during the summer will dictate the effect Hendo will have as a captain.